#WAVE – The biggest ever wave in Irish waters was recorded yesterday when storm force winds off the Coast of Donegal produced monster rollers of over 20 metres (over 60 feet) in height off the Northwest tip of Ireland. At least two giant waves put meterologists on alert yesterday prompting the Coastguard to issue a weather warning.
The 20.4 metre wave was detected in Donegal Bay by the M4 weather buoy, according to Met Eireann. The wave was recorded at 2pm yesterday. (Tuesday 13th December 2011),
Meteorologists said sea conditions, about 60 miles out to sea, were the most serious they had ever experienced. The Irish Coastguard said they had recorded winds of up to 140km per hour off the north-western coast yesterday and issued a warning.
The M4 weather buoy is located 75km north of Belmullet on the north west coast of Ireland. The M4 buoy forms part of the Irish Weather Buoy Network which began in 2000 and is funded by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and run by the Marine Institute in collaboration with Met Eireann and the UKMO.
"This is the largest wave measured on the Weather buoy network to date. However, these recordings are a result of the next generation buoy which was deployed last year. Historically, only the significant wave height could be measured by the older buoys, where heights of between 10 and 13 meters were typically recorded around the coast during winter. The next generation buoys allow us to record and transmit both significant wave height and maximum wave heights as part of our hourly observations," explains Sheena Fennell, oceanographer with the Marine Institute.
Over the last number of years the network has been going through a transitional phase replacing the older models with next generation buoys supplied by Fugro Oceanor. The combination of high quality real time measurements coming from the offshore buoys and coastal systems, coupled with the mathematical forecasting models, is extending the well proven ability of scientists and engineers to accurately forecast the atmospheric conditions and sea state of the ocean.
"With the development in technology we are now able to record maximum wave heights which the older style buoys couldn't do. This parameter will form an important part of forecasting as we move forward." Sheena Fennell further said.
Met Eireann say the stormy conditions will gradually ease off tonight, but then frost and icy patches will develop. However it will remain very windy for a time early tonight, with severe southwest to west gales.
